These times are still tough for everyone right now, which is all the more reason to stay as connected as possible. A unique, inspiring and positive way to do this is through stories. When all of our voices are included and heard, stories truly have the power to create new and stronger connections.
You can help make these kinds of connections by discovering and exploring untold stories from Toronto’s past through the Awakenings program, a series of virtual art projects by Toronto History Museums.
The program is part of the History Museums of Toronto’s commitment to the recommendations of the Museums and First Peoples Task Force to effectively and respectfully co-develop new programs, exhibits and stories across their 10 sites. , as announced by Cheryl Blackman, Director of Museums. and Heritage Services.
The objective of alarm clocks is to connect and chart a new course through art, creativity, culture and innovation. The projects presented use storytelling, according to the principles of anti-oppression, anti-colonialism, anti-racism, sustainability and advocacy.
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City of Toronto
“Our stories have been excluded from the global narrative for centuries. We must move forward by healing and strengthening our truths in order to achieve a true sense of fairness and above all unity.”
– Esie Mensah, choreographer
Awakenings was created through the cultural and economic investment of over $1.2 million made by the City of Toronto with the goal of combating anti-Black racism and increasing support for Black creative communities in Toronto. .
In addition to that, Toronto History Museums takes a closer look at the development, delivery and evaluation of its programming. Therefore, in line with calls to action from Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in the museum sector, there is a greater emphasis on Indigenous voices, stories and knowledge in all museum content.
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Mimie & Le Jardin, 2020. A film by Sara Elgamal | Photo by Shady Hanna.
Toronto History Museums ininvites you to explore its latest virtual art program and participate in important new conversations around art pprojects by black and indigenous artists and artists of color sharing their truths.
This includes well-known artists such as Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X and Roger Mooking, as well as newcomers to the scene.
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Thanks, 2020. A film by Jonathan Elliott | Photo by Andrew Williamson.
Discover these three artistic projects, as well as the Awakenings Reflections Behind the Scenes Conversations and tests.
A revolution of love
This digital short film presents a young black woman confronting the history of her ancestors and the current violence that is destroying her community. It imagines its future through dance and stages 15 women who come together to reframe the revolution in the name of love.
A Revolution of Love was crafted by an internationally acclaimed black creative team and features lyrics by Assata Shakur. A Revolution of Love was filmed at the Toronto Museum of History’s Fort York National Historic Site in partnership with Soulpepper Theater and co-directed by Weyni Mengesha.
Behind the curtain
Food Network host, restaurateur, author and award-winning recording artist Roger Mooking – with award-winning hip-hop recording artist and broadcaster Shad and producer and multidisciplinary artist Byron Kent Wong – discuss the effects of racism on health mental in Behind the curtain.
In these stories, Mooking shares her untold experiences of growing up on the Canadian prairies and working in the southern United States, while exploring how food, art, and music created this journey. Behind the Curtain was filmed at Montgomery’s Inn at the Toronto Museum of History.
We were always there
We Were Always Here features the stories of 10 Toronto-based emerging Black, Indigenous and filmmakers of color who were mentored by world-renowned director Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X.
The purpose of these shorts is to disrupt, uncover and display colonial narratives. Each filmmaker focuses on one of Toronto’s 10 history museums to tell a variety of untold stories.
“We were still there… Black, Indigenous, multi-generational immigrants and people of color were still there, as were the heritage sites; it will be a true awakening to the untold story of Toronto and our stories that need to be told.
– Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X
All Awakening programming is free and currently delivered virtually, so you can experience and learn more safely from home.
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Price: Free
Where: Right now, all programming is online at toronto.ca/museums with plans to also move to public places in the future.
Why you need to go: Discover Toronto’s untold story through stories told by Black and Indigenous artists, and artists of color, who connect us and create a new path forward.
Connect and participate in Awakenings projects online, for free. Wake up your spirit at toronto.ca/museums. Additional Awakenings programming will be available throughout 2021. Join the #Awakenings and #TellTheFullStory conversation.